KC Chiefs Free Agency: Chris Jones Stokes Raiders Rumor with Emoji Tweet
The real news can't get here soon enough. Here's what happened on Tuesday and why you might care about a one-emoji tweet from Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones.
On Tuesday, a trio of NFL Network insiders were discussing the latest news around Jones and his pending free agency. Mike Garafolo floated the idea that Jones could potentially leave the Chiefs but remain in the AFC West.
"Multiple teams in the AFC West need help on the defensive line," Garafolo said after being pressed about vaguely teasing an AFC West rival as a potential landing spot. "I'm just saying, the place where he played his last game as a Chief, may be his first game as somebody... I don't know, I'm just saying. I dunno. Who knows. [...] I'm just trying to find a way to not allude to the fact that it's the Raiders I'm talking about."
Frankly, from an editorial perspective, that clip didn't move the needle for me. It seemed like Garafolo was spitballing with a potential landing spot he may have heard whispers around, but it was far from a report of Las Vegas' official interest. But hey, it's rumor season. Fine.
Then, Twitter/X user @gamedayg0urmet quote-tweeted a story about Garafolo's comments and tagged Jones: "You do this and you're dead to us @StoneColdJones."
Jones saw the tweet and responded, with his tweet consisting of nothing but a handshake emoji.
Does any of this matter?
Probably not. The one part of Tuesday's sideshow that seems less than ideal is the fact that some of the Jones contract sentiments had been trending in a positive direction through the first days of March, and now the two "news" items are Garafolo's tidbit and Jones's tweet. Jones, in this instance, is doing something he did last offseason too: tweeting at fans with opinions about his contract situation. Check the time stamp on this one: Sept. 10, 2023. Jones signed a short one-year deal to remain with the Chiefs on Sept. 11.
Are the vibes great between the Chiefs, Jones, and his agents? Perhaps not. Does Jones's tweet or Garafolo's Raiders mention change anything? Not in my book. Very little would surprise me at this point, especially with the ridiculously winding road Jones's agents, the Katz brothers, took last offseason. Jones could hit true free agency next week and potentially begin his exit from Kansas City, or he could sign a massive deal to stay with the Chiefs for years to come.
Either way, try not to let 15-second video clips or one-emoji tweets ruin your springtime afternoons.
